Take control of holiday stressors

PORTSMOUTH — The holiday season can be a wonderful time or an absolute nightmare depending on how you handle the added demands on your time.

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By Karen Dandurant

seacoastonline.com

By Karen Dandurant

Posted Nov. 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Karen Dandurant

Posted Nov. 17, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — The holiday season can be a wonderful time or an absolute nightmare depending on how you handle the added demands on your time.

For many, the flurry of activity is fun and exciting. There is Christmas shopping for those special gifts, sledding and snowball fights, and a chance to be with family members to celebrate. There is a ton of food, parties and travel plans to make.

For some people, the stress levels that accompany this sudden influx of activity can be overwhelming.

Experts say with a little advance preparation, stress can be successfully managed and the holidays can be enjoyed.

Dr. Duke Lovetere of Duke Family Chiropractors in Greenland said managing stress in his patients is as important as the adjustments he makes to their bodies. He delivers talks to corporations and other groups on complete wellness practices and stress management figures heavily in his message.

"Chiropractics are a natural medical practice," Lovetere said. "It is holistic and effective and, really, if you are working on other aspects of health benefits, especially stress management, the client is going to be healthier overall if we address stress."

Lovetere said stress is responsible for a large percentage of back problems.

"So, if I didn't at least attempt to address stress as a source, I would not be treating the whole person," he said. "It just makes sense in trying to correct the problem."

On the particular stress that comes during the holidays, Lovetere offers a simple message.

"Live in the moment," he said. "It's easy to get overwhelmed. Breathe. Make a to-do list and take it one step at a time. Focus on what is really important."

Exeter Family Medicine physician Timothy Keenan said there is no magical formula for dealing with holiday stress. He said small, simple plans and reasonable expectations can make the difference.

"For example, the rule when my family picks out a Christmas tree is to be there no more than five minutes," Keenan said. "Once you get the tree home and decorate it, it looks great. I have never looked back and said, 'That was a horrible tree.'"

Keenan suggests making a list early in the season of things you want to accomplish during the holidays.

He said keep it reasonable and budget your time.

"Then prioritize your list," Keenan said. "Get reasonable and decide what you really must do and what is optional. We tend to feel we have to shop more and more; that we need to mail all those cards out, bake more. We over-schedule ourselves and we can't do it all. Don't beat yourself up."

Lovetere also urges setting reasonable goals for the holidays.

"Do what you're capable of and count your blessings," he said. "Turn Black Friday into a rainbow of calm instead. So what if you buy that person two presents instead of five. It doesn't matter."

Exercising and making sure you get adequate sleep are important, too, Keenan said.

"Sleep deprivation increases anxiety," he said. "You have a harder time dealing with stress. Also, exercise really does help your brain deal with anxiety through the release of endorphins."

Seasonal affective disorder is a medical condition linked to a lack of sunlight that can cause depression and make life even harder this time of year.

"Get outside and play," Keenan said. "The exposure to exercise and to sunlight can make the difference for people affected by SAD. Actually, it will help everyone."

Healthy diets often go out the window over the holidays, which can increase stress risks, he said.

"We pick at food at parties," Keenan said. "We eat less nutrition and protein in favor of sweets. Lower protein leads to fatigue and adds to the holiday stress factors. Be aware of what you are eating and include nutritious items."

The bottom line is that people should set their expectations, stick to them and make enjoyment rather than accomplishments a top goal for the holidays.